U.S. Soccer Wire: U.S. Men Dominate Honduras 4-0 in Seattle, Face Ecuador in Birmingham on March 10 Live on ABC at 3 P.M. CT

Mar 4, 2002

MATHIS, DONOVAN EACH NET PAIR IN SHUTOUT WIN: The U.S. Men’s National Team downed Honduras 4-0 in a dominating offensive performance in front of an enthusiastic, pro-American crowd of 38,534 at SAFECO Field in Seattle, Wash. on Saturday. Forward Clint Mathis, starting his first game for the U.S. in almost a year, and 19-year-old Landon Donovan each scored twice to lead the United States. The USA continued a series of strong performances this year, improving their 2002 record to 5-1-1. Led by Lacey, Wash. native Kasey Keller, the stingy U.S. defense has posted five shutouts. The dual two-goal performances marked the first time in which the U.S. had multiple-goal scorers in the same game since Dec. 5, 1993 (a 7-0 win over El Salvador), a span of 144 games. "We're playing well, and when we get everybody healthy and on the field at the same time and together for an extended period of time, we can be a dangerous team," said U.S. MNT head coach Bruce Arena.

THORNTON JOINS MNT IN BIRMINGHAM TO TRY FOR FIRST EVER WIN VS. ECUADOR: The U.S. Men’s National Team, arrived last night in Birmingham, Ala., where they prepare to meet fellow World Cup finalists Ecuador at Legion Field on Sunday, March 10. The nationally televised match, broadcast live on ABC and Telemundo and the Futbol de Primera radio network, kicks off at 3 p.m. CT. Goalkeeper Zach Thornton replaced Kasey Keller, who returned to Tottenham, on the 20-man roster. Amazingly, the U.S. MNT has never defeated the South American side. Ecuador holds a 4-0-4 record against the U.S., including a 0-0 draw on June 7, 2001, at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, in the teams’ most recent match. The U.S. will be returning to Birmingham’s Legion Field for the first time since March 12, 2000, when the U.S. MNT drew 1-1 with Tunisia in front of 21,637 fans in the team’s first-ever match in Alabama. Tickets are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets throughout the southeast. Ticket prices are $50 (VIP midfield), $25 (sideline) and $15 (endline). Tickets can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 800-277-1700, or fans can call 205-967-4745 for information on group sales.

U.S. TO MEET MEXICO IN DENVER AT INVESCO FIELD ON APRIL 3: The U.S. Men’s National Team will resume the best rivalry on the continent when the U.S. faces arch-rival and fellow World Cup qualifier Mexico on Wednesday, April 3 at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., at 8 p.m. MT. The match will air live on Telemundo, the new long-term Spanish home of U.S. Soccer, and will also be broadcast live on the Futbol de Primera radio network. With the addition of the match against Mexico to Bruce Arena’s pre-World Cup schedule, the U.S. will have played eight World Cup-bound teams in 2002 prior to kicking off the World Cup in June. The U.S. Men’s National Team has played just two full international matches in Denver since 1990, averaging 29,965 fans for a 1-0 win against Uruguay 1-0 in 1991 and a 1-0 loss to Scotland in 1992. Tickets for the doubleheader went on sale on Saturday at the Invesco Field Box Office and all TicketMaster locations, or by calling 303-830-TIXS. Ticket prices range from $25 to $45. For more information on tickets, fans can call the Rapids at 303-299-1599 (or 303-299-1511 in Spanish). The following is the current U.S., schedule for 2002:

U.S. SOCCER, AEG BREAK GROUND ON NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER: U.S. Soccer and AEG broke ground last week (Feb. 26) on a state-of-the-art U.S. Soccer National Training Center and a 27,000-seat soccer-specific stadium complex at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. In addition to housing U.S. Soccer’s National Teams, the facility will be the future home of the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. The NTC is being targeted for an August 2003 opening, while the stadium complex will be in place for the 2003 MLS season. “This is a landmark moment for U.S. Soccer,” said U.S. Soccer Federation President Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia. “The importance of having a facility that can provide a world-class environment for the continued development of our players is immeasurable. Creating this icon for the sport will benefit every part of the U.S. Soccer family from our National Teams to our Coaching and Referee Programs, enabling us to cast our nets wider in developing the sport in this country.” In addition to the natural grass stadium, the National Training Center at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills will feature five training fields, a practice area and a central building to house office space, locker rooms, a weight training room, physical therapy training rooms and player lounges. The NTC complex will also include a residential component, which will allow teams to stay at the facility.

MNT EURO UPDATE:Brad Friedel played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Bolton in a battle of teams fighting to stay in England’s top flight. Currently Bolton sits just outside of the relegation zone (17th place – 30 points), just above Blackburn (18th place – 26 points). Blackburn faces a tough stretch of games, with their next three matches coming against Aston Villa, at Leeds and against Newcastle. Claudio Reyna and Sunderland lost at Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday. Reyna was replaced in the 54th minute, after appearing to injure his hamstring. The midfielder is expected to miss Sunderland’s mid-week clash with Bolton. With 31 points, Sunderland is currently just five points clear of the relegation zone. John Thorrington played his first 90-minute match since Nov. 10 this weekend in a scoreless draw with Wigan on Saturday. Huddersfield is in contention for promotion to the English First Division, sitting in seventh place with two games in hand. David Regis returned to the starting line-up as FC Metz drew 2-2 with Lens on Saturday. Metz sits at the bottom of a crowded cellar in France’s top league, with six teams within four points of the bottom spot. John O’Brien went all 90 minutes in Ajax’s 1-1 draw with Feyenoord, and Ajax remains five points clear of Feyenoord at the top of the Dutch Honor Division. Cory Gibbs returned from suspension to play 90 minutes as St. Pauli pulled off another surprising result, drawing 1-1 with second place-Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. With a win, Dortmund would have taken over the top spot in Germany, following Leverkusen’s draw on Saturday. Tony Sanneh played all 90 minutes in Nurnberg’s 3-1 loss to Hamburger SV. Nurnberg is still sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone, as four clubs sit within two points of the Bundesliga’s third relegation spot.

NIKE UNVEILS U.S. WORLD CUP JERSEYS IN SEATTLE: The U.S. Men’s National Team wore their new 2002 World Cup jerseys in action for the first time against Honduras on Saturday, after the uniforms were unveiled at a Seattle press conference on the day before. Nike spent considerable time developing the lightweight “Cool Motion” jerseys, as the 2002 World Cup will be played during the monsoon season from May 31-June 30 in Korea and Japan. Nike also unveiled the incredible “Mercurial Vapor” shoe and the “Geo Merlin Vapor” ball.

U.S. SOCCER, TELEMUNDO AGREE TO MULTI-YEAR TV AGREEMENT: U.S. Soccer and Telemundo have joined forces to bring U.S. Men's and Women's National Team games to fans across the United States in a multi-year agreement with the Spanish-language network. The agreement will feature 10 U.S. National Team broadcasts a year, including, for the first time, two U.S. Women's National Team matches every year. Telemundo is the fastest growing U.S. Spanish-language television network and is home to popular soccer announcer Andres Cantor, well known for his famous “goal” call on soccer broadcasts in the United States for more than 10 years. Telemundo routinely features Mexican Soccer League games and the popular sports highlight show “Titulares Telemundo.” The partnership began this weekend with the U.S. Men’s National Team’s match-up against Honduras in Seattle. Telemundo is scheduled to broadcast each of the remaining seven matches on the U.S. Men’s preparation schedule for the 2002 World Cup. Telemundo’s first-ever Spanish-language telecast of a U.S. Women’s National Team is scheduled for later this year at the 2002 Nike U.S. Women’s Cup.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR “NIKE ROAD TO KOREA”: With the “Nike Road to Korea” less than three months away, U.S. Soccer has announced ticket information for the USA’s final three domestic World Cup preparation matches. The “Nike Road to Korea” will include three games before the U.S. departs for Korea and the 2002 World Cup in late May. Before playing their World Cup send-off match against Holland in Foxboro, Mass., on May 19, the U.S. will face Uruguay on May 12 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C and then travel north to face Jamaica on May 16 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Including the Gold Cup, the U.S. will have faced eight World Cup-bound sides in 2002 prior to kicking off the World Cup on June 5 against Portugal.

— U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM UPDATE —

U.S. WOMEN DOWN ENGLAND 2-0, FACE NORWAY TOMORROW IN ALGARVE CUP: Forward Shannon MacMillan scored in her second straight match and 19-year-old Kelly Wilson added the second goal in her first-ever game for the full U.S. Women's National Team as the USA earned a 2-0 victory over England in Group B at the Algarve Cup yesterday. The USA and Norway will meet tomorrow (March 5) with the winner advancing to the Algarve Cup Championship Game. Norway and Sweden played to a wild 3-3 tie in the other Group B match. The USA cannot advance to the Final with a tie against Norway, but a draw could put the Norway in the championship game, depending on the outcome of the Sweden-England match, also on Tuesday. The USA and Norway currently sit tied atop Group B with four points each, and are also tied on goal difference at plus-2, but Norway has the advantage in the next tiebreaker, total goals scored, having scored six goals to the USA's three. Sweden has two points from two draws, but could slip into the final if the USA and Norway tie, and the Swedes beat England by three or more goals. The following is the remaining schedule and results from the 2002 Algarve Cup:

U.S. UNDER-19 WOMEN SWEEP TWO GAMES IN MEXICO: The U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team had a successful weekend in Mexico, winning back-to-back games over the Costa Rican and Mexican Under-19 Women's National Teams. On Saturday, the USA defeated Costa Rica, 4-0, before coming back with a 2-1 victory over Mexico on Sunday in front of a surprising crowd of 22,000 fans. Both matches were played at Pachuca Stadium in Pachuca, Mexico. The USA and Mexico will be in Trinidad & Tobago from May 5-12, 2002, for the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the 2002 FIFA Under-19 Women's World Championship, while Costa Rica will be a likely participant with the Central American pre-qualifying tournament still to come. Against Costa Rica, the USA scored two goals in the first half, from Lindsay Gusick (Univ. of Virginia) in the 14th minute and Annie Schefter (Yakima, Wash.) in the 29th. The Americans then finished off Costa Rica with two goals in the first five minutes of the second half, from Lindsey Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.) in the 47th and Keeley Dowling (Carmel, Ind.) in the 50th. Against Mexico, it was Tarpley who struck twice, scoring in the 44th minute and the 71st minute before Mexico pulled a goal back in the 78th. Kim Bingham (San Ramon, Calif.) played in goal against Costa Rica, while Ashlyn Harris (Satellite Beach, Fla.) went the distance against Mexico. The U.S. U-19 WNT will be back in action shortly, joining the San Jose CyberRays and the San Diego Spirit of the WUSA, as well as the U.S. U-21 Women's National Team and the U.S. National Amateur Team for the WUSA Pre-Season Tournament at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in San Diego from March 17-23.

U.S. UNDER-18s KICK OFF SECOND CAMP OF THE YEAR: The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team kicked off their second training camp of 2002 yesterday, as 23 players gathered at the ARCO Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The U.S. squad has three matches scheduled against older opposition, taking on UCLA on March 5, the L.A. Galaxy on March 7and the San Diego Sockers on March 9. The Under-18s recorded two wins and a loss in their training camp last month. The team lost to a strong Chicago Fire side 2-0, before posting wins against the Under-19 IMG Academy team (1-0) and the Under-17 Men’s National Team. The group called in for this camp includes two players who have joined professional clubs. Forward Sergio Flores plays with Chacarita Juniors in Argentina, and midfielder Craig Capano was recently drafted by the Chicago Fire. Players on this Under-18 squad are all born after Jan. 1, 1985 and are eligible for the 2005 World Youth Championship.Goalkeepers: Ryan Best (Williamstown, N.J.), Andrew Kartunen (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Jason Landers (Lower Gwynedd, Pa.); Defenders: Jeff Chambers (Christiana, Pa.), Greg Dalby (Poway, Calif.), Hunter Freeman (Allen, Texas), Gabe Ortega (Ozone Park, N.Y), Steven Purdy (Morgan Hill, Calif.), Mike Zaher (Las Vegas, Nev.); Midfielders: Dave Brown (Media, Pa.), Taylor Canel (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), Craig Capano (Chicago Fire – MLS), Ian Etherington, (Temecula, Calif.), Will Hall (Shirley, N.Y.), Patrick Ianni (Lodi, Calif.), Josh Villalobos (Fayetteville, N.C.); Forwards: Arturo Alvarez (Houston, Texas), Chad Barrett (Beaverton, Ore.), Adam Cristman (Glen Allen, Va.), Andrew Daniels (Milwaukee, Wisc.), Sergio Flores (Chacarita Juniors – ARG), Nate Norman (Rochester, Mich.), Ramon Nunez (Dallas, Texas).

U.S. UNDER-16s GO 3-1-0 IN SECOND CAMP OF 2002 IN CHULA VISTA, CALIF.: The U.S. Under-16 Boys’ National Team wrapped up their second training camp of 2002 on Saturday with a 2-1 win against an older Nomads team. The U.S. squad posted three wins and a loss in their week at the ARCO Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The U.S. topped the Under-17 Nomads team 6-1 (Feb. 26) and 2-1 (March 2), in addition to a 4-2 win against the Under-16 Nomads. The USA’s lone loss came on Feb. 28 against an older Southern California State Team. Travis Young scored once in each of the team’s last two wins. The U.S. Under-16s are scheduled to gather again for a training camp in June.U.S. Under-16 Boys’ National Team Results

U.S. UNDER-17s FALL TO BRAZIL, ANGOLA TO OPEN HAVELANGE TOURNAMENT IN BRAZIL: The U.S. Under-17s opened the Mundialito Joao Havelange with a losses to two older teams in Brazil (0-4 loss on March 2) and Angola (1-2 loss today) in Campos, Brazil. The U.S. will face Panama on Wednesday (March 6) before ending the tournament in a placement game on March 9/10. The U.S. has the youngest team in the eight-team tournament. The match against Brazil was the Under-17s first international of 2002. Prior to traveling to Brazil, the Under-17s faced Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. Freddy Adu scored twice in the first 20 minutes and assisted on Nicholas Colaluca’s 30th minute goal to guide the U.S. to a comfortable 4-0 win. Drew Harrison added a late goal for the U.S.Mundalito Joao Havelange ResultsDate Opponent Result U.S. Goal ScorersMarch 2 Brazil 0-4 L ---March 4 Angola 1-2 L HarrisonMarch 6 PanamaMarch 9 [3rd, 5th, 7th Place Matches]March 10 [Championship Match]

U.S. UNDER-16 GIRLS PREPARE FOR THREE INTERNATIONALS IN BRADENTON, FLA.: The U.S. Under-16 Girl’s National Team will play their first three internationals of 2002, when the U.S., Germany and Canada all convene at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for a series of international friendlies. Canada and Germany face off on March 9, with the U.S. team meeting Germany on March 11 and March 13, and then facing Canada on March 15. The U.S. Under-16s will be participating in their second training camp of the year and will send a veteran team to Florida. Many of the standouts who led the Under-16s in 2001 return, including star striker Angela Woznuk and the midfield duo of Jen Buczowski and Amy Burlingham. U.S. Under-16 head coach Steve Swanson has called in 22 players for the trio of matches. Following is the U.S. roster as well as the schedule of matches for the week in Bradenton:Goalkeepers: Dana Hall (Kingwood, Texas), Julie Ryder (Dekalb, Ill.); Defenders: Mary Castelanelli (Lodi, Calif.), Shannon Foley (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), Jessica Maxwell (Colleyville, Texas), Amanda Poach (Chesapeak, Va.), Becky Sauerbrunn (St. Louis, Mo.), Susan Weber (Islip, N.Y.), Midfielders: Yael Averbuch (Upper Montclair, N.J.), Amy Berend (Lewisville, Texas), Jen Buczkowski (Elk Grove Village, lll.), Amy Burlingham (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Stacey Lindstrom (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Stephanie Logterman (Austin, Texas), Meghan Schnur (Butler, Pa.), Caitlin Ursini (San Pedro, Calif.); Forwards: Amanda Cinalli (Maple Heights, Ohio), Erin Davis (Yardley, Pa.), Elizabeth Guess (Athens, Ga.), Adele Letro (Davis, Calif.), Katherine Mahoney (Dublin, Calif.), Angela Woznuk (El Cajon, Calif.).

USL ANNOUNCES 2002 OPEN CUP QUALIFYING FORMAT: The United Soccer Leagues (USL) announced last week the qualification process for the A-League, D3 Pro League and Premier Development League (PDL) for the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The 2002 edition of the single-elimination tournament will feature a 32-team phase-in bracket with the lower division teams advancing to face higher division teams as the tournament progresses. The PDL qualification will consist of four matches with the top team from each of the four groups, aligned by conference, and an overall wild card, advancing. The D3 Pro League champion Utah Blitzz will be joined by the top six teams in the league after four qualification matches. The Rochester Raging Rhinos and Richmond Kickers as A-League and Regular Season Champions, respectively, will be two of the eight A-League representatives. The remaining six berths will be determined by six two-game, aggregate score series among the remaining 12 American teams. All USL qualification matches will double as 2002 league matches and qualification standings and series will be determined using standard USL criteria and tiebreakers. The 2002 Open Cup begins first round action from June 8-12, and be comprised of the four United States Amateur Soccer Association Regional Champions, five PDL teams, and seven D3 Pro squads. The First Round winners will advance to face eight A-League teams in the Second Round, scheduled for Wednesday, June 26. Major League Soccer will send eight representatives to the tournament beginning play in the Third Round. The Round of 16 is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17.

KANSAS CITY OPENS 2002 FC CHAMPIONS CUP WITH ROAD VICTORY: MLS' Kansas City Wizards scored a vital away goal, the only of the match five minutes from full time, for a 1-0 victory over W Connection FC in the first leg of the Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup round-of-16 series on Sunday in Marabella, Trinidad. Second half substitute Francisco Gomez scored the game-winner in the 85th minute, finishing off a terrific cross from Trinidad & Tobago international Gary Glasgow, who took control of a loose ball in the left corner whipped in a fine cross to the center of the W Connection area and Gomez timed his run perfectly into the box and struck the ball in full stride, sending a 16-yard volley pounding into the back of the net which left goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa rooted to his line. The second leg of the two-game aggregate series will be played at Arrowhead Stadium just outside of Kansas City on March 16.Pairing 8March 3Kansas City Wizards (USA) 1, W Connection FC (TRI) 0 at Marabella, TRIMarch 16Kansas City Wizards (USA) vs. W Connection FC (TRI) at Kansas City, Mo. 7:30 p.m. CT.

U.S. SOCCER SPOTLIGHT

PEAK PERFORMER: Forwards Clint Mathis and Landon Donovan both had spectacular two-goal efforts in the U.S. Men’s National Team’s convincing 4-0 win over Honduras Saturday, making it the first time in a span of 144 games in which two U.S. players had multiple-goal games. Mathis’ strikes in the 14th and 59th both showcased the MetroStars forward’s knack for being in the right place at the right time, while both of Donovan’s goals (in the 44th and 67th minutes) exhibited his superb dribbling skills and patience with the ball.

MARQUEE MATCH-UP: The U.S. Men’s National Team, coming off an impressive 4-0 win over Honduras in Seattle, will try to earn their first ever win over Ecuador when the two teams meet Saturday (March 10) at Legion Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PT, and the match will be broadcast live on ABC and Telemundo, and can also be followed on ussoccer.com’sMatchTracker, presented by Philips Electronics.

SOCCER SHOCKER: Up-and-coming women’s soccer force Sweden has already posted two solid results in the 2002 Algarve Cup, earning a 1-1 draw with the U.S. Women’s National Team on March 1, and a 3-3 draw against Norway yesterday. Sweden, with just two points after two games, has a shot at advancing to the final with a three-goal win over England and a draw between the USA and Norway tomorrow.

QUOTABLE: “The support here was great. To get 38,000 fans for a friendly was great. I had a tremendous week, and to finish it out with a 4-0 win was spectacular. There should be more games scheduled here in the Northwest.”-- U.S. MNT ‘keeper Kasey Keller, who grew up in Lacey, Wash., and still has a home in Olympia, Wash.